Across Joliet and communities throughout the Midwest, winter isn’t something you simply prepare for, it’s something your home must physically withstand. Between heavy snowstorms, freeze–thaw cycles, frigid winds, and sudden temperature swings, a home’s exterior takes a beating every year. At Great Roofing LLC, we’ve spent multiple generations helping homeowners protect their properties from exactly these conditions. As a family-owned and operated company, we combine long-standing experience with modern building solutions, ensuring every home we work on is better prepared for whatever winter has planned.
Our process has always centered on honesty, transparency, and craftsmanship. From your first estimate to project completion, communication stays clear and consistent. Every job is overseen by our Production Quality Control team to ensure the installation meets our standards of integrity and precision. And because we view every homeowner as a partner, not just a project, we always tailor solutions to your home’s needs and the challenges of our climate.
Great Roofing provides several siding options, including vinyl siding and LP SmartSide wood siding. In a region where winter conditions can be extreme, choosing the right material isn’t simply a design choice; it’s a long-term protection strategy. Many homeowners ask us which siding holds up best against snow, ice, temperature shifts, and Midwest storms. Today, we’re breaking down the key differences in LP SmartSide vs. vinyl siding, and which one offers superior durability when winter hits hard.
How Midwest Winters Impact Siding
Before comparing materials, it’s important to understand what winter siding must endure in the Chicagoland and Joliet areas.
Heavy Snowfall and Ice
Snow piling against a home can trap moisture against the siding. When melted snow refreezes, it can seep into weak spots and expand—putting pressure on boards and seams.
Wind Chill and Subzero Temperatures
Strong winds combined with low temperatures expose siding to rapid thermal contraction and expansion, which can cause cracking or warping depending on the material.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Perhaps the biggest challenge: daytime melting followed by overnight freezing. Materials that absorb moisture or lack flexibility struggle to withstand this repetition.
Wind-Driven Debris
Branches, ice, and storm debris can strike siding with far more force in winter storms, making impact resistance a major consideration.
These conditions help determine which material performs best in the long term.
LP SmartSide vs. Vinyl Siding: A True Winter Performance Comparison
1. Durability and Impact Resistance
Vinyl Siding: Vinyl is known for being affordable and low maintenance, but winter exposes its weaknesses. In freezing temperatures, vinyl becomes brittle, meaning any wind-driven debris, or even a minor impact, can crack or shatter panels. Once cracked, moisture easily infiltrates the wall system.
LP SmartSide: LP SmartSide siding is made from engineered wood treated with a proprietary SmartGuard® process that includes waxes, resins, and zinc borate to increase durability and repel moisture. Its dense composition makes it far more impact-resistant than vinyl. In winter storms, this translates to fewer cracks, fewer repairs, and better long-term protection.
Winner for winter durability: LP SmartSide
2. Behavior in Extreme Cold
Vinyl: Vinyl siding expands and contracts noticeably with temperature changes. In harsh Midwest winters, this movement increases the likelihood of warping, loosening, or panel separation. Once gaps form, snow and ice intrusion becomes a serious concern.
LP SmartSide: Engineered wood siding remains stable in cold temperatures. While all exterior materials expand and contract slightly, LP SmartSide is designed to maintain its integrity and hold fasteners securely, even during dramatic weather shifts.
Winner for cold-weather stability: LP SmartSide
3. Moisture Resistance
Vinyl: Vinyl itself is moisture-resistant, but water can easily collect behind the panels, especially when ice builds up. If melted snow becomes trapped in the system, it can affect the wall structure behind it.
LP SmartSide: LP SmartSide’s SmartGuard® technology helps it resist moisture absorption, rot, and fungal decay, three major threats during winter. Its tight installation system and sealed edges help prevent water intrusion.
Winner for moisture defense: LP SmartSide
4. Longevity and Maintenance in Winter Conditions
Vinyl: Vinyl performs well initially, but repeated winter stress typically shortens its lifespan, especially in climates with fluctuating temperatures. Repairs are common after windstorms or cold cracks.
LP SmartSide: Engineered wood siding offers a far longer lifespan, often decades longer than vinyl, with fewer weather-related repairs. It also retains its appearance better since winter exposure doesn’t dull or distort the surface as easily.
Winner for long-term winter performance: LP SmartSide
So, Which Siding Holds Up Best in a Midwest Winter?
When comparing LP SmartSide vs. vinyl siding, the difference is clear: LP SmartSide consistently outperforms vinyl in every major category relevant to Midwest winter conditions.
From impact resistance and moisture control to performance in subzero temperatures, LP SmartSide is engineered for the kind of weather Joliet experiences year after year. Vinyl remains a budget-friendly and visually appealing option, but for homeowners who want the strongest defense against winter damage, engineered wood siding is the superior investment.
Prepare Your Home Before the Next Winter Storm
Your siding is one of your home’s first lines of defense. Whether you’re suffering from snow damage to siding or are simply planning ahead, Great Roofing LLC is here to help you make the right choice for long-term protection. We’ll assess your home, discuss your goals, and walk you through the benefits of each siding option so you can make an educated decision.
Contact Great Roofing today for your complimentary estimate and let us help protect your home against the toughest Midwest winters, one strong siding system at a time.